Math Problem Statement

A passenger on a moving train walks at a speed of 1.60 m/s due north relative to the train. The passenger's speed with respect to the ground is 4.5 m/s at an angle of 28.0° west of north. What are the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the train relative to the ground?

Solution

To find the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the train relative to the ground, we can use vector decomposition to break the problem down into components. Here's how:

Step 1: Set up a coordinate system

  • Assume the north direction is along the positive yy-axis.
  • Assume the west direction is along the negative xx-axis.

Step 2: Define the given vectors

  • The passenger's velocity relative to the ground is 4.5 m/s at an angle of 28.0° west of north.
  • The passenger's velocity relative to the train is 1.60 m/s due north.

We need to find the train's velocity relative to the ground. Denote this as vtrain\vec{v}_{\text{train}}.

Step 3: Break down the passenger's velocity relative to the ground

The passenger's velocity with respect to the ground has two components:

  1. A northward component (along the yy-axis): vy,passenger=4.5m/s×cos(28)v_{y,\text{passenger}} = 4.5 \, \text{m/s} \times \cos(28^\circ)
  2. A westward component (along the xx-axis): vx,passenger=4.5m/s×sin(28)v_{x,\text{passenger}} = -4.5 \, \text{m/s} \times \sin(28^\circ) (The negative sign indicates the westward direction.)

Step 4: Determine the train's velocity using relative velocity equations

Let the velocity of the train relative to the ground be vtrain=(vx,train,vy,train)\vec{v}_{\text{train}} = (v_{x,\text{train}}, v_{y,\text{train}}). The passenger’s velocity relative to the ground is the vector sum of the velocity of the passenger relative to the train and the velocity of the train relative to the ground: vpassenger, ground=vpassenger, train+vtrain\vec{v}_{\text{passenger, ground}} = \vec{v}_{\text{passenger, train}} + \vec{v}_{\text{train}} Thus, in terms of components:

  • For the yy-direction (north): vy,passenger=vy,train+1.60m/sv_{y,\text{passenger}} = v_{y,\text{train}} + 1.60 \, \text{m/s}
  • For the xx-direction (west): vx,passenger=vx,trainv_{x,\text{passenger}} = v_{x,\text{train}}

Step 5: Solve for the train's velocity

Now, calculate the components of the passenger's velocity relative to the ground:

  • vy,passenger=4.5×cos(28)v_{y,\text{passenger}} = 4.5 \times \cos(28^\circ)
  • vx,passenger=4.5×sin(28)v_{x,\text{passenger}} = -4.5 \times \sin(28^\circ)

Let me calculate these values for you.It seems like I can’t do more advanced data analysis right now. Please try again later.

If you'd like to proceed manually, you can calculate the components of the passenger's velocity:

  1. Northward component: vy,passenger=4.5×cos(28)v_{y,\text{passenger}} = 4.5 \times \cos(28^\circ)

  2. Westward component: vx,passenger=4.5×sin(28)v_{x,\text{passenger}} = -4.5 \times \sin(28^\circ)

Once you have these values, you can use the equations mentioned earlier to find the train's velocity components.

Would you like to proceed with further clarifications, or have any questions about this?

Here are 5 follow-up questions:

  1. Do you want to explore other methods to solve this?
  2. Would you like to learn more about vector decomposition in physics?
  3. How can we apply relative velocity in different scenarios?
  4. Do you need help with more examples of velocity problems?
  5. Would you like to understand how vectors are added in two-dimensional space?

Tip: When working with angles in velocity problems, always resolve the vector into its components to make calculations easier.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector Decomposition
Relative Velocity
Trigonometry

Formulas

v_y = v \times cos(θ)
v_x = v \times sin(θ)
Relative Velocity: v_passenger, ground = v_passenger, train + v_train

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem
Law of Cosines

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12